NEWPORT, Ky. — City leaders in Newport are trying to come up with a plan to move the city forward over the next five years. To do that, they want to hear from people who live and work there.
What You Need To Know
- Cities create comprehensive plans every five years
- Newport has three main areas of focus for its tentative comprehensive plan
- Now, city leaders are seeking feedback on the Newport Forward Comprehensive Plan
- People can learn more about it and provide feedback at ItalianFest Thursday
Assistant City Manager Larisa Sims said she has been working with a team of about 25 people for over a year now to create the Newport Forward Comprehensive Plan. It's something cities are required to do every five years to set prioritization for new projects, zoning, etc.
Based on the work the team has done so far, Sims said there will be three main areas of focus. The first will be revitalizing the riverfront area. The next will be determining how to ensure historic Monmouth Street remains a thriving business district. The other focal point will be the new Route 9 corridor.
Beyond those three areas, the Newport Forward plan will determine park investments, which roads need repair and which areas can get commercial development.
Nothing is finalized at this point. Sims said city planners now want to hear from you.
“We really want to hear from folks about where we should be spending their tax dollars and we really want to get feedback from them on how they think these policies are going to impact their specific property," said Sims. "It’s a broad brush of topics, but at the end of the day, it really will impact folks and we want to hear from them as much as possible through the process.”
Sims said they tried to get feedback last year, but it was challenging during the pandemic. That's why they are now taking the plan out to events where they know Newport residents will be at.
The Newport Forward team will be out at ItalianFest Thursday at Newport on the Levee. You can find them there with presentations from 4-7 p.m. While there, people can hear presentations about the current plan, get questions answered and provide feedback.
Other Newport Forward open house events include:
- July 27 at Love & Faith Fellowship Church (720 York St.) at 7 p.m.
- July 28 before the Newport Business Association at Newport on the Levee from 4-6 p.m.
- Clifton Neighborhood (time and date TBD)
- Cote Brilliant Neighborhood (time and date TBD)
You can find out more about the Newport Forward Comprehensive Plan on the city's website.